Inspire Device surgery coming up...

I have been approved for implantation of the Inspire device - and I am very excited. The only real concern is that in my area (Albany, NY) this is a new procedure. A matter of fact, I am the first patient approved and have to wait for 4 more patient approvals before the hospital will proceed with ordering 5 devices. My doctor is being trained on its implantation - and I will probably be his FIRST patient. That has me worried. Any thoughts ? Should I wait until he has done a few procedures first? Should I travel nearby, but out of state, to a doctor who has done many of these surgeries?

I would not be concerned about your doctor. I would be concerned with whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. It does not work for everyone. I have an implant and it does not work. Don't be fooled by claims about how effective it is. It's easy to lie with statistics. I would ask your doc. What if it doesn't work?

Thanks very much for your response. According to my doctor, I am the perfect candidate...so I sure hope I am. I've had an impossible time with various cpap machines/masks of all kinds over the last 5 years - all the while my apnea has progressed from moderate to severe. My AHI is between 30 and 40. Because of this, I'm willing to try ANYTHING that might help.

That's what I was told. Bet my apnea is worse than yours. I have no life. The Inspire failure has been the biggest letdown of my entire life. I;m back at CPAP school with some improvement. I really hope I it works for you. Please remember as my doc told me this is a therapy that "may" improve your apnea. There is no cure.